Bound to the Elvin King (36 page)

Feeling the weight of Avrin’s expectant gaze, he said wearily, “What do you want? A commendation for being right?”

“Normally, yes, but in this case, I’m just happy you’ve come to the realization you love her, without me bashing you over the head repeatedly.”

Talion’s lips quirked. “Are you trying to tell me something?”

“That you’re stubborn? Yes, I am. But so is Maggie. You two are equally matched in that quality. She’d have to be to put up with you.”

“Thanks for your confidence in me,” Talion said drily.

“It’s true, and it was why you were never a good fit for my sister.” A shadow crossed Avrin’s face. “This mismatch in personalities is what led her to do what she did.”

“You still can’t say it, can you? She betrayed me, but I accept my part in it. Like you said, I should’ve never pursued a bond with her. I knew it would be lacking in every way.”

“You knew even at that time about Maggie, did you not?”

Avrin had ignored his first question, which was Talion’s answer, so he shook his head. “Not about Maggie’s identity, but I knew my complete bond mate was human. Much like as in Relian’s dreams, mine had revealed the same.”

“I suspected at that time because of all the leading questions you asked about humans and if it’d ever be possible for one to come here.”

“And now that’s a question that has been more than answered, yet leaves many others in its wake.”

“Like who’s trying to harm Maggie?” asked Avrin, giving him a significant look.

Talion had shared the note only with his taskforce and Avrin. Though they knew Eamon was involved, all believed the witless idiot couldn’t be the sole mastermind behind the plot. That unknown ate away at his gut, but he crushed the feeling down. Right now, Maggie was safe in the palace, all jaunts to the village curtailed. “That among others, yes, though that’s one of my most pressing concerns right now.”

“As well it should be.”

The steely glint in Avrin’s eyes both reassured and worried Talion. He feared his friend sometimes cared a little too much for Maggie. “Even if I didn’t rank it that high, you’d make sure I did.”

Avrin grinned sheepishly. “You know me too well. So what is your next step?”

“With Maggie? Getting her to accept the bond and making sure she doesn’t get herself killed.”

“Hmm.” Avrin nodded and appeared deep in thought. “And once you accomplish those goals, how do you plan to win everyone’s acceptance of her?”

By sheer force if necessary. “That I’ll worry about later.”

“In other words you won’t give people any other choice.”

“Of course.”

“Still, I think your biggest challenge is getting Maggie to go along with the situation, though she’s not immune to you.”

Talion’s smiled without humor. “She won’t have any other option.”

“I’m not sure I like the sound of that.”

“I didn’t think you would. Most of the time, I’m undecided if it’s a wise idea.”

Avrin’s brows drew together, and he stood from his seat. “Talion, what are you planning?”

“My fate. I just don’t know if it’ll herald my happiness or my destruction. Knowing Maggie, maybe both.”

“Does this fate have anything to do with the upcoming Harvest Festival?”

“You’ll see soon enough.”

“I take that as a yes, then. There’s nothing I can say to dissuade you from this course?”

“Dissuade me from what course?” Talion asked with a lightness that belied his mood. “I haven’t apprised you of my plans.”

“Given the extra instructions you have in place for the opening ceremonies at the Harvest Festival, it’s apparent what ‘course’ you’ve chosen.” Avrin thoughtfully used air quotes around the word “course” in a manner so reminiscent of Maggie that Talion felt his lips quirk up the corners.

“Since you’ve used your amazing mental faculties to figure out my endeavor, you can now help me see it to fruition.” He needed all the help he could get, and if he could trust anyone, it would be Avrin.

“So I can take part of the blame when your lovely mate decides to come after your blood?”

“In part. But mostly to ensure the night doesn’t end in disaster. I’ll be the last person with whom she’ll want to speak. I need you to make sure she doesn’t do anything…rash.”

“You want me to play the role of nanny,” Avrin stated in a deadpan voice.

“Do you have a problem with that?”

“No, I’ve watched you over the centuries, so minding Maggie shouldn’t try me too much.”

“Oh, trust me, she can be much worse than I ever was.” Talion smirked and clapped Avrin on the shoulder. “But regardless, I’m counting on you to keep her safe.”

Chapter 19

Maggie walked by Avrin’s side, with Cal and Relian in front. Talion led the procession down the sloping path, his guard fanning out around them.

Maggie bit her lip. Why was she walking with the royal family and their trusted advisor? Shouldn’t she be waiting with the huge crowd assembled below? And talking about their audience—the throng had spread out like a blanket across two clearings and the town. Soft music floated on the air, and the tantalizing aroma of food mixed with the scent of fall flowers tickled her nostrils. Damn, there had to be thousands of elves within the town gates.

The party she and Cal had crashed when they landed in Eria had been teeny-tiny in comparison. Ah, the good, old days before she was the secret Queen of Fairyland. But to be truthful, she’d felt an extreme awareness the moment her gaze landed on Talion. Like her life would never be the same. He’d always made her feel as if he could see right through her, which was something no woman liked.

At least he was over his anger about the marketplace incident and back in her bed where he belonged. Well, sometimes she was in his bed or on some other surface, but that was semantics. All that mattered was he still knew how to set her body on fire, sometimes multiple times a night. After they sated themselves, they’d cuddle and talk. Okay, more like bicker half the time, but that was a form of intimacy to them. And before sex, their bantering served as rousing foreplay. Desire hummed through her veins at the remembrance.

But as much as she loved their volley of one-up-man-ship, the serious conversations had snuck into her heart and rooted there. She realized how much Talion’s dynamic personality called to her and how much insight into him she got from the bond. The intimacy unnerved her and not just because of the obvious—that he could see into her—but because of how vulnerable she felt by seeing into him. He might be strong-willed—in fact he needed to be because of his position—but he also harbored deep love and dedication to his people. Plus, he fought to ensure everyone in his kingdom had a decent life, which was no easy feat considering the monarchy placed a lot of governing power in the hands of its lords and ladies.

Sometimes, she found herself trusting him. It was so easy to slip into that mode. Should she rely on him, though? Emotions seemed messy and better avoided. For her, their relationship had reached the optimum level—intimate in many ways but guarded in others. But if it went any further, it would be entering dangerous territory.

She snorted to herself. Who the hell was she kidding? It had entered dangerous territory too many times to count.

With a slight frown, she turned her mind from this disturbing thought. No need to ruin a nice day.

She glanced at Talion’s striding form. Did he know how sexy his walk was? His slight swagger caused her heart to thud against her ribs. The festival must not be a formal occasion, because he’d wore a tailored knee-length tunic over tight leggings and not one of his fancier over robes. The silvery fabric of his shirt hugged him from shoulder to his very squeezable butt. She licked her lips. To think it was hers. All hers, just like the rest of his magnificent body.

They neared the clearing, and she drew her thoughts away from sensual delights. No need to look all flushed and bothered, especially when she couldn’t do anything about it. As if reading her mind, Cal glanced over her shoulder, flashed a smile, and mouthed, “Ready for the show?”

“Not on your life,” Maggie muttered and turned her attention to the people assembled below. Her first good look revealed elegantly dressed lords and ladies at the front of the crowd. Alalise and her brother stood in the middle of the auspicious group. Maggie scowled. Just what she needed—to see Ms. Fashion Doll. Still, why was Maggie not down there? Maybe Talion wanted to give her a taste of what would be expected of her as queen. Pretty smart of him, but not cool at all. She hated being left in the dark and preferred to know everything beforehand, something which had been sorely lacking in her relationship with Talion.

But she had the feeling this was all part and parcel of being his queen. There were no guidebooks to make everything easier, only advisors and tutors who tended to further complicate matters. Not that it took much in her case, and her training hadn’t even officially begun. The thought of politics scared the crap out of her. And as for being a lady and learning the etiquette? Yeah, not looking forward to it. But she didn’t have a choice.

Anyway, even if she could leave, she’d miss her “alone” time with Talion. She’d miss…him. Not to mention the way he could inflame her anger and desire with one word or look. Really, that was a talent no man had ever held over her. And this power excited, exhilarated, and frightened her like nothing else. The same three emotions filled her at the thought of becoming queen and ruling the kingdom at his side.

Talion led the way up a platform that took center stage. Yay, let the training begin. Though she was outgoing, she wasn’t used to being watched by so many people, not to mention almost perfect elves—elves who weren’t exactly fans of humans. Such an audience could give anyone an inferiority complex. She had to give props to Cal. Her introverted friend handled herself like a true princess. Now the only thing remained to be seen: would Maggie fall flat on her face when her turn to act all royal arrived?

As they piled onto the varnished-wood platform, the crowd, along with the musicians, quieted. Talion swept his gaze over the mass assembled below him and spoke. “Beloved Erians, welcome to the Harvest Festival. We are pleased to announce all those who are here made it to Eriannon safely and with few mishaps.”

A cheer arose. Talion smiled, as calm looking and urbane as Maggie had ever seen him. He waited until the noise died and continued his speech. “Let this be a time to lay aside all worries and to rejoice in a strong harvest that will feed our people through the winter.”

With the force of a strong gale, the words from the lady in the marketplace echoed through her mind. A cool breeze blew through the clearing, and it shivered down her spine. Everything around her took on a surreal haze. A shake of the head did nothing to relieve the affliction, so she retreated inward to try to ground herself.

But she couldn’t escape the truth, and it hit her like a punch to the gut—this was a land at war. That fact had been easy to overlook because, for the most part, she’d seen little evidence of it. Only once had she seen a darkindred, and this had been in the relative safety of the palace courtyard. He’d been shot down before he could complete his mad dash toward Relian and Talion. The memory of that day still haunted her, and had been her first intimate glimpse of death.

As queen she’d have no choice but to deal with the grim realities of bloodshed and violence. Nausea swirled in her stomach. She wasn’t cut out for this. Her head felt like it hovered feet above her neck. If only she could really float away.

But escape was impossible, and her reality lay in Eria. She gulped in a deep breath. So what if she wasn’t ready, because who really was? Had Talion been when he took over the crown? Sure, he would’ve been groomed for it from a young age, but could anything truly prepare a person for the shoulder-crushing responsibility?

Somehow she doubted anything but hands-on experience would prove beneficial. Too bad she had none. And here was one of her first tastes of it, and what was she doing but rattling around in her own mind?
Yeah, Maggie, great way to gain much needed experience.

She ripped herself out of her preoccupation and stuffed it into the background of her consciousness, where it belonged. When her senses sharpened back to the present, silence met her ears. Everyone seemed to be waiting expectantly for…something.

Avrin grabbed her arm, and she raised a surprised brow at him. An uncharacteristic look of apprehension covered his face. What was he doing? Surely, she hadn’t looked that out of it? He leaned over and whispered, “You haven’t been listening, have you?”

Listening? To what? Talion had been talking about the harvest. Not knowing what to say, she shook her head.

“Talion is soon to make an announcement.”

“So?” Maggie frowned. She was missing something, but what?

His grip on her tightened. “Just stay here.”

Where else would she go? She pursed her lips and studied him, not sure how to handle this new Avrin. Especially in front of thousands of on-looking people.

Her gaze sought out Talion. He should know what was going on. As if feeling her stare, he glanced over his shoulder and shot her an unreadable look that did nothing to quail her unease.